Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications

Tailored Magnetic Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-Based Core–Shell Nanoparticles Coated with TiO<sub>2</sub> and SiO<sub>2</sub> via Co-Precipitation: Structure–Property Correlation for Medical Imaging Applications

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide-based materials, such as magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), have gained significant attention as contrast agents in medical imaging This study aimsto syntheze and characterize Fe&l...

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Main Authors: Elena Emanuela Herbei, Daniela Laura Buruiana, Alina Crina Muresan, Viorica Ghisman, Nicoleta Lucica Bogatu, Vasile Basliu, Claudiu-Ionut Vasile, Lucian Barbu-Tudoran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Diagnostics
Subjects:
magnetic nanoparticles
Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> core–shell nanostructures
contrast agents
medical imaging
Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM)
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/15/1912
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Summary:<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide-based materials, such as magnetite (Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>), have gained significant attention as contrast agents in medical imaging This study aimsto syntheze and characterize Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based core–shell nanostructures, including Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@TiO<sub>2</sub> and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub>, and to evaluate their potential as tunable contrast agents for diagnostic imaging. <b>Methods:</b> Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>, Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@TiO<sub>2</sub>, and Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>@SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation at varying temperatures from iron salt precursors. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of Fe–O bonds, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to determine the crystalline phases and estimate average crystallite sizes. Morphological analysis and particle size distribution were assessed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). <b>Results:</b> FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic Fe–O vibrations at 543 cm<sup>−1</sup> and 555 cm<sup>−1</sup>, indicating the formation of magnetite. XRD patterns confirmed a dominant cubic magnetite phase, with the presence of rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> and stishovite SiO<sub>2</sub> in the coated samples. The average crystallite sizes ranged from 24 to 95 nm. SEM and TEM analyses revealed particle sizes between 5 and 150 nm with well-defined core–shell morphologies. VSM measurements showed saturation magnetization (Ms) values ranging from 40 to 70 emu/g, depending on the synthesis temperature and shell composition. The highest Ms value was obtained for uncoated Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub> synthesized at 94 °C. <b>Conclusions:</b> The synthesized Fe<sub>3</sub>O<sub>4</sub>-based core–shell nanomaterials exhibit desirable structural, morphological, and magnetic properties for use as contrast agents. Their tunable magnetic response and nanoscale dimensions make them promising candidates for advanced diagnostic imaging applications.
ISSN:2075-4418

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